Great article and explanation on why Proton and its components are such a game changer. Thanks for sharing!
Ironically, Nier Automata is only listed as “playable” on Steam Deck.
That’s only because the game requires entering text with the on screen keyboard.
The issue is that it doesn’t automatically pop up the keyboard, you have to press steam + x yourself. I believe the support for it requires the game to implement Steam Input API which not that many games do.
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Completely agree. Steam deck reports on ProtonDB are much more reliable. Using the decky plugin makes checking these really easy too.
No kidding. “Playable” includes a reason, at least, but we really need a better filter. I know they want to keep things as idiot proof as possible, but “advanced options” exist for a reason.
Look, if your dedication to lick Uranus is what it takes to get humankind to another planet, then so be it.
Not quite as far, but this article has the same energy.
Is this one worth playing?
Need something for after the Witcher.
Nier Automata has, IMO, the best story to exist in game format. Gameplay itself isn’t anything special but it’s fun enough to keep you engaged, but the story is the real reason to play this game.
Can’t recommend this game enough.
Well that’s high praise.
And also justified praise.
There could never be a story like Nier Automata on any medium outside of gaming, and there probably is no story like Nier Automata anywhere else in gaming right now.
Also, clicking robots is pretty fun.
This is my first play through of Witcher 3, and I have been extremely impressed with the story, even if it doesn’t quite compare with any contemporaries in more traditional media. Like, I’m playing it, and the game could easily be on the level of the earlier GoT books in its story. However, some aspects feel like its not quite able to straddle the medium.
Gonna grab this on steam and I’ll let you know. Probably will play well on the deck?
Just wanted to drop you a thanks for starting this sub-thread. I also recently finished W3 (after a couple of false starts) and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I know it’s just a step-and-fetch game, but the storytelling has spoiled me for shallower content (plus I suuuuuuuck at aiming a firearm with the joystick so I’ve yet to get into Cyperpunk). Anyway, Nier GOTY is in my catalog so the responses to you have been illuminating.
I’ve made it close to the end of Witcher 3 and loved every minute of it, I just got obsessed with factorio at the time and kinda stopped playing lol. Completely agree that the story is absolutely amazing in that game, the characters are awesome and even side quest stories are very well done, let alone the main quest stories.
Automata is better than that IMO and that’s not a slight against Witcher, Nier is just that good when it comes to the story.
It ran at a steady 60 FPS / 1080p / ultra settings for me on my ancient GTX 970 / i7 4790k when I first played it so the steam deck should be more than enough to play the game.
The anime was pretty disappointing after having played the game. I feel like it could’ve been adapted well with a bit more creativity.
Honestly I reserve my judgment to when the anime finishes. The game really improves on its second part, which has not been adapted yet (but should come this year)
the best story to exist in game format
But yeah, the story is pretty involving. The sceneries are great; the soundtrack is outstanding in my regard. What really does it is the composition of these elements - I like to view Nier as an artwork in game format basically.
I mean, I love Deus Ex. But the story was very barebones and mostly read as a hodgepodge of all the conspiracy theories we had read on usenet or saw on xfiles.
The real lasting legacy of that game is that it is arguably the first “immersive sim”. Games like System Shock and Thief had a lot of the elements but Deus Ex was the first time you really could approach the vast majority of the game with very different playstyles and were “equally” rewarded for each.
As much as I love Nier Automata, I also would not say it is the GOAT game story. But Deus Ex definitely is not in that discussion.
I couldn’t get pass the initial tutorial level because it was too hard to beat 😵💫 maybe i should try it again at some point
Don’t play it on hard mode fyi, it’s absurdly hard
Gameplay itself isn’t anything special but it’s fun enough to keep you engaged, but the story is the real reason to play this game.
I have to disagree, I loved the combat and exploration in this game. Story was good, but the music and combat is what keeps me going back
I just finished cyberpunk and if nier can top that story then I’m sold. I also already own the game so might as well give it a go.
Metal Gear Rising Revengeance has a better story
Also do does Halo 2
Nier is definitely worth playing, but I consider it pretty different from the Witcher
Yeah I’m fine with that, I just picked up witcher because it would work well on deck and I’d never played it.
Definitely yes. Just the ost alone keeps me coming back to play it. It’s not the same as the Witcher as people have already pointed out.
I think it’s a great game, but remember to keep playing after you get to the ending.
I’m going to be the contrarian and say no, I don’t recommend it. I found it both pretentious and superficial.
That being said, everyone has different tastes. If you’ve watched and enjoyed Neon Genesis Evangelion then you’ll probably enjoy it because it caters to the same crowd.
Another recommendation I have is to not let the fanbase pressure into playing more than you want to. If the game starts feeling like a slog then just move on to something else. My theory is that the game gets such high praise is because almost all of the people who didn’t like it just stopped playing when it got boring, so the fans have near total control of the narrative.
And before anyone tries to belittle my opinion: I got to the end of Route C before quitting. I got past the gimmick of “multiple endings” and it was clear to me that there was nothing the game could do that would make me change my mind. Please understand that not everyone has to like the things you like.
Great feedback. How many hours would you estimate it took you to make your conclusion?
Like, do I have to fully commit before I’ll be able to assess the game?
I spent about 40 hours on it. Within the first 12-15 hours I was already feeling pretty meh on the game overall. The combat was decent, but there was just a lot of traversal back-and-forth which made me really tired of the environment, even though there’s some areas that are fairly unique.
Plus there were a ton of game design choices that I disagree with, such as how flight sections were done and the hacking minigame (which becomes required for a lot of enemies in second and later playthroughs).
As for fully committing, the first playthrough is about 15 hours. The first playthrough was alright, and I’d have a much more positive opinion of the game had I ended it there.
there was just a lot of traversal back-and-forth which made me really tired of the environment
More importantly, there’s no fun traversal mechanic for getting around the large areas. Just running and jumping.
Same feelings
holy fuck yes. I just found out recently there are multiple endings. I thought there was just the one and done. I’m bout to play it through again now
I personally hated it. Imo, don’t except anything philosophically deep from it like I did, maybe you will enjoy it. I found way more joy in playing Disco Elysium, Outer Wilds and OMORI
Still good feedback. I’ll be giving it a shot in a bit.
Definitely, is just fun
How about shadows of Mordor?
Yeah I played that. The combat system was …boring…? Also, there was like, no real story. The nemesis system was just kind of eh. Like even on the highest difficulty the fights were incredibly easy.
When I saw the previews, I thought it would be this game detailing the corruption of one of the kings who took the ring into eventually becoming a full wraith (like as you use the ring more, you become more corrupted but gain more powers.) But I found the story to be meandering and kind of like, inconsequential.
If the nemesis system resulted in ‘me’ the main character of the game effectively becoming a general in Sauron’s army, and becoming fully corrupted by the ring with almost godlike powers, being challenged morally to make the right decision, but my human weakness causes me to draw upon the power of the ring, giving into it almost inevitably, now that would have been a good game.
Mass effect or BG3 or wrath of the righteous (side quests are kinda trash) or dragon age
It’s worth playing for the music alone. If you like other platinum games, you’ll probably like it.
Yes. Not the same vibes though.
Really interesting stuff. Just goes to show how one person really can make a difference.
This is uplifting news. This dude deserves a medal.
